Carbide agitator for acetylene generators



Nov. 2, 1937. M. P.- DE MOTTE CARBIDE AGITATOR Foa ACETYLENE GENERATOR;

Filed Nov. 2:5, 1932 s snets-sheet 1 VII I l 5 z 7 /f/ z3 E {U Z o 25M O27 l" l'l l /2 s y n 2a 4//n{;3 a o u .l `f- 20 /9 0- i3-:js 2/ 2 'ifi-V `\|`l v @Eli-@ my INVENTQR Maa/arf f/Vorrf ATTORNEY Nov. 2, 1937. M.P. DE Moi-TE CARBIDE AGITATOB FOR ACETYI-JENE GENERATORS Filed Nov. 23,1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nav. 2, 1937.

M.. P. DE MOTTE 2,097,617

GARBIDE AGITATOR FOR ACETYLENE GENERATORS 3 sheets-'sheet 3 Filed Nov.23, 1952 v,

' INVENTOR MAUR/E P f/Vorrf ATTORN EY Patented Nov. 2,- 1937 PATENTOFFICE CARBIDE AGITATOR FOR ACETYLENE GENERATORS Maurice P. De Motte,Indianapolis, Ind., assigner, by mesne assignments, to Union Carbide andCarbon Corporation, a corporation of New York Application November 23,1932, Serial No. 644,058

s claims.

4The invention pertains `to means for securing a more uniform gaspressure in acetylene generators of the carbide to water type. Morespecifically, the invention pertains to means for agitating carbide atthe feed or discharge outlet of the carbide hopper in mediumpressureacetylene generators having a gas storage chamber ofsubstantially constant volume, and a carbide hopper provided with anoutlet valve 1u that is operated by a spring balanced diaphragmresponsive to variations in the pressure o'f the acetylene gas withinthe generator, the connection between the diaphragm and the carbidevalve being such that a decrease in gas pressure opens the valve and anincrease in gas pressure closes the valve.

In generators of this type there is a delay between the change in gaspressure and the change in, rate of carbide feed, and.` this delaylcauses undesirable fluctuations in gas pressure. Therefore, the chiefobject of this invention is to reduce this delay to such an extent thatthe fluctuations in gas pressure within the generator will Inot causeundesirable fluctuations in the flame of gas g5 consuming devicesconnected with the generator. One cause of this delay is a caking orbridging of the carbide at the outlet of the carbide hopper, and variousdevices have been proposed for agitating the carbide valve in generatorsof this type to prevent this bridging and thereby secure more uniformgas pressure, but as the poweror agitating the valve is usually obtainedfrom the move-` ment of gas drawn from the generator, the valve may beagitated while it is closed and this movement tends to cause the finerparticles of carbide to sift .past the valve and thereby defeat thepurpose of the agitator. Therefore, another object of this invention isto agitate the carbide near the carbide valve without agitating 4thevalve or the valve seat;

In prior devices of this type the movement has been intermittent, andthe interruption in movement tends to cause uctuations in gas pressurewithin the generator. Therefore, another object of this invention is toagitate the carbide continuously while gas Ais being drawn from thegenerator.

Other objects are to provide means of the class described that is ruggedin structure, reliable in operation, uniform in action, economical ofpower, and eiective in purpose. These and other aims, objects, and novelfeatures will ,appear in the following specification and theaccompanying illustrations, in which:

65 Fig. 1 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the carbidefeeding mechanism of an acetylene generator incorporating one example ofan application of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view along a horizontal plane at 2-2 of Fig. lshowing the structure of Fig. 1 in plan, turned through 90; a-portion ofthe carbide hopper is broken away to show the motor and its connections;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view along a vertical plane at 3-3 ofFig. 2 showing the struc- 10 ture of the hopper outlet;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View of the feeding mechanismof an atylene generator incorporating another example of an applicationof my invention; l5

Fig. 5 is a sectional view along a horizontal plane at 5-5 of Fig. 4showing the means for driving the agitator;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view along a horizontal plane at 6-6 of Fig. 4showing the structure of 20 the agitator; and

Figs. 7, 8, 9 and l0 are fragmentary views of alternative forms of thecarbide agitator shown in Fig. 6.

r The agitating device as incorporated in the 25 two embodiments ofapplications of the'invention is deemed novel regardless of the meansfor supplying the motive power, which may be electric, hydraulic,weight, or spring, driven, instead of the pneumatically driven motorsshown in Figs. 2, 4 30 and 5.

The motor shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is covered by Patent No. 2,090,575issued on my copending patent application having Serial No. 570,929, andthe motor shown in Fig. 2 is covered by Patent No. 35 2,061,898 issuedon my copending patent application having Serial No. 652,139.

Other outstanding features of my invention, which I believe to be novel,are: the means for agitating the carbide in close proximity to the feed4o opening without agitating either tle feed valve or the valve seat, orin any way modifying the movement or operation of the feed'valve; themeans for agitating the carbide continuously while gas is being drawnfrom the generator without caus- 45 ing pulsations or uctuations in thepressure of the gas at the outlet of the generator; the means for movingthe agitator so that it will remain in close proximity to the carbidefeed valve when it is partially open as well as when it is closed; the50 means for providing an agitator in which the wearing surfaces areprotected from carbide dust and provided with a quantity of lubricantsufiicient for a long period of operation; and also the means forproviding an agitator that has no appreciable tendency to open thecarbide valve or cause carbide to feed when it is closed.

The invention, as embodied in the structure of an acetylene generatorshown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, comprises a rotatable sleeve within theoutlet of a carbide hopper and means for rotating the sleeve while gasis being drawn from the generator.

The generator comprises an outer casing I0 adapted to contain water andacetylene, a carbide hopper II having an inverted conical bottom I2provided with a central depending outlet I3, and a valve I3, forcontrolling the ow of the granular carbide through the outlet into thewater to generate acetylene. The valve I4 isoperated by a diaphragm I5which is responsive to variations in gas pressure within the generator.The pressure of gas on the diaphragm I5 is balanced by a spring I6, andthe tension of the spring I6 may be varied by manually moving anadjustable spring abutment I1 to vary the gas pressure within thegenerator. y

The carbide valve I4 is joined to the diaphragm I5 by a bell crank I8which may be moved by a cam I9 carried by a cross shaft 20 and operableby handle 2I attached thereto outside the generator to close the carbidevalve I4 while the generator is being recharged or transported with acharge therein.

The bottom I2 of carbide hopper II is provided with a central opening22, and attached to the lower side of bottom I2 around opening 22 bysuitable means such as a fusion weld is a depending cylindrical dripcollar 23. Secured within drip collar 23 by suitable'means such as boltsor capscrews 24 is the upper portion 25 of a gear housing, hopperoutlet, or valve seat, to which a lower portion 26 is held by aplurality of bolts such as 21 which extend through ears 28 on each ofthe portions or sections near the joint therebetween. 'Ihe joint betweenhousing 25, hopper bottom I2, and drip collar 23, is sealed by a gasket29 of suitable material such as rubber, and at the joint between housingportions 25 and 26 suitable rcesses are formed to provide a gear chamber3 'I'he gear housing or hopper outlet I3 is cylindrical in contour andcarbide from hopper II is fed downward through the central opening oroutlet 3| by gravity. 'I'he members 25 and 26 forming the hopper outletare thickened somewhat at the point of junction to provide space for thegear chamber 30, and the lower end of lower section 26 forms a seat 32for carbide valve I4. Gear chamber 30 is annular in form and extendsaround outlet 3| at the junction of members 25 and 26 a short distanceabove valve seat 32. Within chamber 30 a ring gear 33 is held fromvertical movement between annular guiding elements 34 and 35 protrudingfrom the upper and lower wall of chamber 30 respectively.

Secured within gear 33 by suitable means such as a joint of compression,or solder, or both, is a cylindrical sleeve 36 which extends downwardwithin member 26, forms a prolongation of outlet opening 3 Landterminates at shoulder 31 in close proximity to and just above valveseat 32 but out of contact with valve I4 when the latter is in closedposition. An annular projection 38 extends downward from member 25ashort distance within sleeve 36 to close the upper edge of chamber 30and provide a support or bearing for sleeve 36 which may also besupported by the inner surface of member 26.

Gear chamber 30 is enlarged somewhat at one side to provide space for aworm gear 39 that meshes with ring gear 33 and is rigidly mounted on ashaft 40 which is journalled in suitable bearings 4I and 4I formed insections 25 and 26, and through one of which bearings it extends outwardand is connected with the rotating shaft of pneumatic motor 42 by asuitable coupling 43. Motor 42 is connected with, and is also supportedby the inner end of gas outlet conduit 44 within the generator. Theouter end of conduit 44 is connected through a suitable flame arresteri5 to the gas outlet or service line of the generator.

Gear chamber 30 may be packed or partially filled with a suitablelubricant such as medium graphite grease as the chamber is dust proofand therefore the grease will be retained throughout a long period ofoperation. Member 26 is provided with an annular drip rib 46 to preventcondensed moisture from running down the outside of hopper bottom I2 andoutlet I3, and reaching the carbide in the outlet opening 3l withinoutlet I3.

The carbide agitating device just described is operated by the movementof gas drawn from the generator. The gas within the generator enters theinlet of motor 42 through which it passes into conduit 44 and then tothe outlet line where it is used. 3

In passing through motor 42 the gas causes motor coupling 43 to rotateand this movement is transmitted through shaft 40 to worm gear 39 whichin turn rotates ring gear 33 and sleeve 36 which agitates the carbide inhopper outlet I3 close to outlet valve I4 and valve seat 32 withoutmoving either, or in` any way modifying the movement of valve I4 oraltering its operation. Also the rate of agitation is proportional tothe rate gas is drawn from the generator.

Valve I4 may open and close in lresponse to the movement of diaphragm I5in the usual way, and the continuous movement of agitating sleeve 36inclose proximity to outlet 3| and valve I4 prevents the carbide in theoutlet from caking or bridging so that it is in condition. to escape andfeed uniformly from the outlet the instant valve I4 opens. Therefore,the delay between a change in gas pressure and a change in the rate ofcarbide feed is reduced to a minimum.

'Ihe application of the invention as embodied in the structure shown inFigs. 4 to 10 comprises a carbide agitator 41 within the outlet of acarbide hopper II and means for rotating the agitator while gas is beingdrawn from the generator.

The generator comprises an outer casing I0 and a carbide hopper havingan inverted conical bottom I2 provided with a central opening or outlet48. The passage or feeding of carbide through outlet 48 is controlled bya carbide valve I4 operated by a pressure lresponsive diaphragm I5 thesame as in the foregoing example of an embodiment of the invention.

Located within hopper II at outlet 48 close above carbide valve I4 is anagitator 41 carried by a shaft or vertical spindle 49 journalled inbearing 56 carried by an inturned portion 5I of hopper bottom I2.SecuredY to shaft 43 above bearing 50 by suitable means such as a key isgear 52 which meshes with a rack 53 carried by or operated byreciprocating shaft 54 of pneumatic motor 55. Motor 55 is connected withand supported by the inner end of gas outlet conduit 44, and it may befurther supported by a suitable bracket such as 56. A suitable guidesuch as 51 carried by an adjacent member such as bearing 59 may also beprovided to hold the gear teeth of rack 53 in mesh with those of gear52.

In order to locate agitator 41 close to the upper surface of carbidevalve I4 and still not interfere with its movement in case lumps ofcarbide become caught between agitator 41 and valve I4 when it moves toclosed position, agitator 41, agitator spindle 49, and gear 52, areprovided with space to move upward with respect to hopper outlet 48 andbearing 58, and gear 52 is provided with a face of suitable width toallow such movement without becoming disengaged from rack 53. The lowerportion of agitator 41 may be just above but close to valve I4 when inclosed position, or the agitator may follow the valve a short distanceas it opens.

The shape, structure, or contour of the agitator may be of any suitableform such as ilngers, paddles, a spiral or helical spring, a lift screw,etc., and the direction of rotary agitating motion may be reversedperiodically each time the reciprocating motor reverses, or two racks 53and gears 52 may be provided, together with a conventional ratchet oroverrunning clutch drive connection between gears 52 and shaft 49, torotate the agitator continuously in one direction. Although shaft 54 ofmotor 55 reciprocates or reverses its direction of axial movementperiodically, the change in direction occurs almost instantaneously andtherefore there is substantially no interruption in the movement of theagitator.

As already mentioned, the form of the agitator may be varied to meetdifferent conditions of service, and adequately agitate .differentgrades of commercial carbide. Agitator 41 shown in Figs. 4 and 6is'provided with a plurality of radial arms 58. Although an agitatorhaving four arms lis shown the number as well as the shape may bevaried. Agitator 59 shown in Fig. 7 is a conical helix of wire or rod.The size, shape,

spacing and direction of turns, may be varied to meet differentconditions. Agitator 50 shown in Figs. 8 and 9 is a short, hollow,inverted, truncated conical member or ring, closely fitting the insideof hopper I2 close to the outlet 48, and joined to shaft 49 by a crossmember 6I. The connection between the agitator 60 and shaft 49 may bedifferent from that shown. Agitator 52 shown in Fig. 10 is a spiral ofsuitable size terminating in a plurality of fingers B3. The number offingers and the direction, size, and pitch of the spiral may bedifferent from that shown.

As in the previous example of an embodiment i of the invention, themotion of the agitator is derived from the movement of gas drawn fromthe generator. The gas within the generator enters the inlet of motor 55through which it passes into outlet conduit 44. 'I'his movement of gasoperates motor 55 which reciprocates shaft 54 and rack 53. which rotatesgear or pinion 52, spindle 49, and agitator 41.

In order to provide space for the agitator operating mechanism, part ofconical hopper bottom I2 isreplaced by mechanism cover or casing 5I, 64,and 65, which may be of any suitable shape orform other than that shown.

The motors shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 5, offer a substantially constant anduniform, although slight resistance to the flow of gas therethrough, andthereforeA they tend to cause no undesirableI fluctuations in gaspressure in the outlet or service line of the generator.

Where the material of which the component parts are formed is notmentioned it is to be understood that conventional material has beenemployed. Also, that any conventional, suitable, or equivalent materialwhether specified or not, may be employed.

It is understood that the size, shape, form, and relative location ofthe various component parts may be changed or altered, as long as theirfunction is retained, and the improved mechanisms may be incorporated inother types of gas generators or devices, without departing from therange of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim:-

1. In an acetylene generator; a carbide hopper having a carbide feedoutlet; a valve cooperating With said outlet for controlling the rate ofsaid feed; a sleeve within said outlet through which said carbide passesfor agitating carbide therein; and means for moving said sleeve.

2. In an acetylene generator; a carbide hopper having a carbide feedoutlet; a valve for controlling the rate of said feed; a rotatablesleeve forming the inner wall of said outlet for agitating carbidetherein; and means for rotating said sleeve.

3. In an acetylene generator; a carbide hopper having a carbide feedoutlet; a valve for controlling the rate of said feed; a sleeve withinsaid outlet through which said carbide is fed having the lower edgethereof in close proximity to said valve; and means for rotating saidsleeve to agitate carbide at said outlet.

4. In an acetylene generator; a carbide hopper having a carbide feedoutlet; a valve for controlling the rate of said feed; a carbideagitating sleeve within said outlet through which carbide passes toreach said outlet; a ring gear surrounding said sleeve and movabletherewith; a worm gear in mesh with said ring gear; and means forrotating said worm gear to agltate carbide at said outlet.

5. In an acetylene generator; a carbide hopper having a. carbide feedoutlet; a valve for controlling the rate of said feed; a carbideagitator within said outlet; a gear movable with said agitator; a rackin mesh with said gear; and means for reciprocating said rack to agitatecarbide at said outlet.

6. In an acetylene generator; a carbide hopper having a carbide feedoutlet; a feed control valve; a carbide agitator within said outlet; agear movable with said agitator; a member having teeth in mesh withthose of said gear; and means for moving said member to agitate carbideat said outlet.

'1. In an acetylene generator; a carbide hopper having a carbide feedoutlet; a feed control valve; an annular carbide agitator within saidoutlet through which carbide passes; a gear movable with said agitator;a member having teeth in mesh with those of said gear; and meansl formoving said member to agitate carbide at said outlet. l

8. In an acetylene generator; a carbide hopper having a carbide feedoutlet; a feed control valve; a carbide agitator within said outlet;gears for moving said agitator enclosed'in a dust proof chambercontaining a lubricant; and means for driving said gears to agitatecarbide at said outlet.

MAURICE P. DE MO'I'IE.

